Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Lance Corporal Herbert James Hudson (Service No. 453), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army.com Facebook page

Herbert James Hudson was born in 1871 in Leamington, Warwickshire, England, and later emigrated to Australia, settling in Queensland. A wool presser by trade, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Rockhampton on 18 August 1915 at the declared age of 41, though he was in fact several years older, and named his sister, Ellen Jones Hudson of Porepunkah, Victoria, as his next of kin. He was posted to the 31st Battalion and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Wandilla in November 1915.

After training in Egypt, Hudson proceeded with his battalion to the Western Front. The strain of active service soon became evident during the severe winter of 1916. On 20 July 1916 he was admitted to the 13th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, having been wounded in action in France with a gunshot wound to the face and exhibiting symptoms of mild shell shock. He was discharged from hospital on 24 July and rejoined his battalion, but continued to struggle with illness and exposure, resulting in several further admissions to medical facilities in the field.

Despite these difficulties, Hudson maintained steady conduct and was appointed Lance Corporal on 15 October 1916. However, recurring sickness, increasing weakness in his back, and the long-term effects of trench feet gradually reduced his ability to continue on active service. On 20 November 1916, while serving in the Somme sector, he was evacuated suffering from trench feet caused by prolonged exposure in the front-line trenches. Although he returned to duty after a period of rest, persistent pain, debility and difficulty walking troubled him for the remainder of his service.

Throughout late 1916 and into 1917 he was repeatedly assessed as medically unfit, reporting continuing pain in his back and legs, general debility and reduced physical endurance. In September 1917 he was transferred from France to England and admitted to the Command Depot at Codford for convalescence. A Medical Board convened there on 23 September 1917 found that his disabilities—trench feet, injury to the lumbar region and general weakness—were permanent and directly attributable to active service and exposure. His capacity for earning a livelihood was judged to be reduced, and he was declared unfit for further general or home service.

Hudson embarked from Plymouth on 30 January 1918 aboard the hospital ship Euripides for return to Australia. Following his arrival, he was admitted to the 6th Australian General Hospital and remained under treatment until April. A final medical assessment confirmed ongoing pain and weakness in the lower back, cramping in both legs, and general debility consistent with his age and service conditions. He was discharged from the AIF on medical grounds on 25 April 1918.

After returning to civilian life, Herbert Hudson resumed his long-standing occupation in the wool industry. In 1922 he was recorded living in Blackall, Queensland, working as a wool presser. From 1925 to 1932 he lived in Emerald, continuing in the same trade. By the mid-1930s he had moved to Brisbane, where electoral rolls list him at 140 Turbot Street from 1936 to 1941, still employed as a wool presser.

Lance Corporal Herbert James Hudson died on 23 August 1948, aged 77, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Eventide Nursing Home, Sandgate. There is no evidence that he ever married or had any known children.

After decades without recognition, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia—ensuring that his name endures among those honoured for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.